“It’s not,” she responded. “It’s never been about him. Yes, I like him. If he asks me out, I’ll say yes. But even if he wasn’t in the picture, I’d say the same thing to you. We weren’t meant for each other.”
His fist was back. Still, she showed no sign of fear. “I think we’re meant for each other. I can give you so much. Be mine, and you’ll never want for a single thing”
“I’ll want for love,” she said. Wow, that was a corny line. I don’t think I could say it with a straight face, but she managed to pull it off. Kudos. “It’s never been about money. You should know that. He makes me laugh. He listens to me. He respects my opinion.”
“He respects your opinion?” the boy repeated. “How is that possible? He is the living embodiment of sarcasm! Don’t be absurd. No, you belong with me. It’s as simple as that.”
She laughed. “I think he’d like that description. Oh, I hope we can still be friends after tonight. I really, truly do. But that’s all I feel for you. Friendship.”
“No, you can’t have it both ways.” The boy’s tone had changed. The hopefulness in his voice was gone, replaced by anger. “You cannot be with him and be friends with me. You know how this works. One family or the other! It can’t be both ways. There’s no in-between.”
“Well, now that’s just silly,” she answered. “I certainly don’t plan on taking sides in your ridiculous family feud. Neither does your brother. Which is convenient since your brother seems smitten with my best friend. I want to look forward to seeing you. As friends.”
“You’re wrong,” the boy spat. His fist shot out, punching the radio into silence. “You belong to me. That is how it’s supposed to be. You cannot have it both ways!”
“Stop it,” she insisted. “You’re scaring me!”
He grabbed her arm. “You have no idea how frightening I can be.”
For a moment, tears filled her eyes as she stared into his face, a face still hidden in shadow. Then anger set in as her hand struck out and slapped him. She reached for the handle on the door and jumped out.
He sat stunned, his hand feeling his face where she’d struck him. Then he bolted out of the car.
“Leave me alone,” she shouted. “They warned me, but I wouldn’t listen. Your brother told me that you could turn mean. I thought I knew you. Clearly, I was wrong.”
“You’re not leaving,” the boy screamed. I wanted to shout at her to run, but I knew I couldn’t. This was all the past. A horn sounded as a second car drove up, skidding to a halt between them. Its lights were on, and I got a full view of the couple. She looked about my height and age, her hair a bit longer. Her eyes were just like mine. She was thinner than I was, and I think a little more beautiful.
He was tall, blond, with deep blue eyes. Stunning to look at, if not for the fury on his face. A face that I’d seen before.
It was Jay.
I woke covered in sweat. The look on Jay’s face was truly frightening. The same look I’d seen on his face ever since I’d rejected him myself.
He’s just a ghost, I told myself over and over again. As a ghost, he could hate me all he wanted, but he couldn’t do to me what he clearly wanted to do to that girl.
Still, for the first time in my life, I was scared of a ghost.
* * * *
I had to hand it to my family; they knew how to rise to an occasion. It started last night when I walked in the door. Grandpa said he’d heard what had happened and thought it was “udderly ridiculous.” I groaned.
He asked Uncle Mark if he’d given Payne a ticket.
“For what?” Uncle Mark asked.
“A moo-ing violation.” Grandpa snickered. Simon and Zack found it hysterical. Even Uncle Mark grinned.
Later in the evening, Zack brought me a plate of cookies and glass of milk. I thought he was being sweet until he asked, “You’re not afraid of the milk, are you?” More fits of laughter from them, more lethal stares from me.
I think Simon was the worst because he had that way of talking that made you believe he was being serious at first.
“Really, it’s not surprising,” Simon said. “Clearly, she was on her way to the moovies.” Later Simon said most likely the cow would not be able to produce any more milk due to the fright of what happened.
“Why?” I asked. “A traumatized cow can’t make milk? Really?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry,” Simon added. “She can make milkshakes instead.”
It was now open season on me. I could only imagine what it would have been like if they knew I believed the cow had been possessed.
It was about one thirty in the afternoon when the doorbell rang. Zack ran to get it. I knew it was Payne when I heard the slew of cow jokes.
When Payne stepped inside, I gave him a hug. “You better be ready. I’ve been the recipient of bovine humor since last night.”
“Yeah?” Payne said. “My grandpa doesn’t know any cow jokes. I’m just waiting for my cousins to start. It’s gonna be brutal.”
“So you came to rescue me from cow hell?” I asked.
“I would be happy to rescue you,” Payne answered. “But that’s not why I came by.”
Payne stepped forward to stand in front of my grandfather who, as usual, had managed to avoid eye contact. “Mister Blackburn, I was wondering if I could have a few moments of your time. I’d like to speak to you in private, sir.”
The room went dead silent.
“Payne,” Uncle Mark said. “Is there something I could possibly help you with?”
Payne smiled. “No, but thank you. I really think I need to speak with your father if that’s all right.”
Uncle Mark responded with a small shake of his head. “Can’t say I didn’t try and save you, son.”
“Hold on,” Grandpa said as he struggled to his feet. “You,” he pointed to Payne with his cane, “want to have a private chit chat with me?”
Payne nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Grandpa glared at Payne, then at Uncle Mark, and then finally at me. “You sure you want to do this, boy? Think real careful before you answer me.”
“I’m sure, sir.”
Grandpa smiled one of his most wicked smiles. “All right, Payne. I’ll admit. I never saw this coming. Let’s go out to the back and have ourselves a little pow-wow. I have to warn you. I may be old, but I’m also a mean S.O.B. So you take your chances. Make yourself useful and grab me a cup of coffee on the way. Black is fine by me. You may want something for yourself. You’re probably going to need it.”
Grandpa started for the back porch. “And don’t the rest of you try and eavesdrop. Boy said he wanted private. You’ll hear him scream if he needs help.”
“Payne, what in the name of all that’s holy are you doing?” I asked. “Are you insane? You must be insane. That’s the only explanation for this. Where in the world did you get the idea to do this?”
“From you,” Payne said while I stood there bewildered. “You said our families had to learn to trust one another. I’m taking the initiative.” He stepped around me and through the back door.
I turned and stormed into the living room, plopped down on the couch, crossed my feet and arms, and proceeded to pout. “I don’t know what the hell’s gotten into him.”
“Well, I think it’s pretty clear,” Simon offered. “He’s got mad cow’s disease.”
They laughed. I continued to pout.
Pouting didn’t seem to do anything, so I paced. But that just made Simon and Uncle Mark watch me like a ping pong ball going back and forth from one side of the living room to the other. It got worse when Zack jumped up and started to pace with me, matching me step for step.
So I sat, reached for the TV control, and started to flip channels. Simon wanted to watch either a science program or a show about robots pretending to be human so they could wipe us out. Zack wanted to watch a cartoon with some really weird looking kids with humongous eyes. Uncle Mark wanted sports. So, naturally, I found the cheesiest chick flick I could and tu
rned the volume up. Yes, I can be that cruel.
But even the story of a single mother with an alcoholic father, kidnapped daughter, and dying goldfish couldn’t keep my attention. I flipped the TV off and started to pace again, yelling at Zack to sit when he got up to join me.
“What could they be talking about for so long?” I asked. “How long have they been out there? An hour? Two hours?”
Uncle Mark looked at his watch. “Not quite fifteen minutes yet.” I glared at him, and he put his hands up in mock surrender. “Bristol, calm down. Look, your grandfather loves you. He would never do or say anything that would—”
“What?” I interrupted. “Are you really going to tell me Grandpa wouldn’t do anything to embarrass me? Are you?”
“No,” Uncle Mark continued. “He’ll humiliate you for laughs and not think twice about it. I was going to say he would never do anything to hurt you. He knows what Payne means to you.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Uncle Mark shrugged. “It’s all I got. Sorry.”
“Hey guys,” Simon said. He was standing at the edge of the living room. “I think they’re done. They’re coming inside.”
I shot over to where Simon was. Grandpa and Payne were indeed on their way in. Payne carried the two coffee mugs to the sink. Grandpa walked right up to me, grinned, and then snatched the remote out of my hand.
“Did she put on home and garden?” Grandpa asked.
“No,” Simon answered. “A chick flick.”
I walked over to Payne. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he answered. “You feel like heading out? I’ve got my grandfather’s BMW.”
“You have your grandfather’s BMW?” Zack asked.
Payne smiled. “Right outside.”
“And we’ve been sitting here watching some girlie show?” Zack complained. “I wanna see!” He raced for the door.
“Wait for me,” Simon yelled.
“Ah hell.” Uncle Mark shrugged. “I’m in.”
“Now look what you’ve done,” I said to Payne. “You coming?” I asked Grandpa.
Grandpa grumbled, clearly wanting to go but not wanting to admit that he wanted to go. Still, underneath the old curmudgeon surface, there was enough little boy left that he gave in. “You better not tell your grandpa that I was outside ogling his car.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” Payne said.
I waited until Grandpa walked through the front door before I whispered to Payne, “Not me, I’m saving this for a special moment in time.”
* * * *
It took a while for us to get out of there. First Uncle Mark and Grandpa made Payne pop the hood. They nearly genuflected. Zack and Simon played with the soft closed doors, the iPod dock, the satellite radio, and the G.P.S. system. Since it was a convertible, everyone wanted the top down.
Finally, Payne and I climbed inside the beautiful, black car. Payne pressed the start button and the engine came to life. Payne pulled away from the curb as Zack yelled, “Be careful of crossing cattle!”
“You want to tell me what that was about?” I asked Payne. “What in the world did you talk to Grandpa about?”
Payne grinned. It took all of my will power to not hit him.
“I mean,” I continued, “it’s not that I don’t get the idea of trying to get on his good side. I do. I’m just not sure he has a good side.”
“Bristol,” Payne said, “that wasn’t just me trying to get in good with your grandpa. He and I have something in common that I wanted to talk to him about.”
“Oh please!” I complained. “What could you two possibly have in common, besides football and leaving the toilet seat up? And don’t tell me either of those subjects came up during your little tête-à-tête.”
“Don’t underestimate,” Payne responded, “the ability of men to bond over sports and toilet habits.”
I groaned.
“We were talking about you.”
“Me?” I was flabbergasted. “Payne, what have you done?”
Payne took my hand. “I did what had to be done. Bristol, there’s something out there that’s trying to kill you. It’s not right to keep your family in the dark. So I went to your grandfather and brought him up to speed.” Payne waited a beat. “More or less.”
“What does that mean?” I asked. “Payne, please tell me that you didn’t tell him about me.”
“Of course not! I would never do that. It’s your secret. It’s up to you who you share it with.”
I breathed out a huge sigh of relief. If Grandpa knew, it would only be a matter of time before Uncle Mark and the boys found out.
“Can I ask,” I said, “what you did tell him?”
Payne pulled off the highway and drove down a dirt road. We came to a stop near a small patch of water that ran over a rock fall. Turning off the engine, Payne repositioned himself to look directly at me.
“Look, Bristol,” Payne said. “There’s something out there that wants you dead. I don’t know what, or why it’s trying to kill you, but clearly, that’s its intention. My intention is to do whatever it is I have to do to keep you safe. I went to your grandfather for his help. He’s going to try and see if anyone has any knowledge of these shadow creatures.”
“You told him about the shadow creatures?” I asked. “Payne, how did you explain them?”
“I didn’t,” Payne answered. “I just told him about them. He didn’t ask any further. I got the impression he assumed it was Hunter who had that ability. I didn’t correct him. I’ll make sure Hunter knows.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he’d check if anyone in your family has ever heard of such a thing. See if there was any information on how to fight them. In the meanwhile, we agreed you shouldn’t be alone. So I’m going to pick you up in the morning for school, take you home afterward. If you’re not with me, you’re with your family. We’ll do what we can to defend you.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
Payne looked taken aback. Clearly, he didn’t expect me to react that way. What did he think I was going to do, swoon and fall at his feet? I don’t do swooning. And I think it was about time Payne understood that.
“How dare you!” I launched myself out of the BMW. Payne followed. I paced back and forth near the rock face. “You and Grandpa agreed I wouldn’t be left alone? What if I don’t want to be passed back and forth between the two of you like a hot potato? I don’t appreciate the fact that you took it upon yourself to just dictate to me what will happen.”
I expected him to back off, hands up, pleading for mercy. Instead, he stormed forward.
“I took it upon myself,” Payne countered, “to see to your safety. Bristol, there’s something out there that nobody understands, and no one seems to know how to fight. But it’s real. It’s deadly. And it’s coming for you! Now, I have no intention of crowding you. I have no desire to dominate or take away your freedom. But whatever these things are, they’re responsible for Jared being killed as much as Weeder. I’m not going to lose you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
We stood glaring at each other, each of us defiant.
“Oh dear,” said a female ghost that just appeared. “He really means well, but he just went about it wrong. McKnight men tend to be very strong willed.”
“You mean pigheaded, don’t you?”
“I didn’t say anything about pigheaded,” Payne complained. “Not that it’d be inaccurate.”
I glared at Payne. “I wasn’t talking to you, thank you very much.” I turned on my heel and looked at the ghost. She was a pretty woman in her thirties. Her light brown hair was down around her shoulders, and her hazel eyes seemed filled with both amusement and kindness. She wore blue jeans and a pink and white flowered shirt. “Pigheaded and conceited, can you believe him?”
“Well, I understand his point of view,” the ghost said.
“What are you doing?” Payne asked. “Is there… is there someone here? Like… someone dead?” His eyes darted around the clearing, searching for some sign of the spirit.
“Well duh,” I said. “Now hush.”
The ghost laughed. “Oh what a joy it is to see Payne like this. So passionate and flustered. Even as a boy he always took the weight of the world on himself.”
I looked at Payne, who was so stunned by this turn of events that his mouth was hanging open. “Yeah, I get that about him, but he needs to rein it in. I’m not used to being told what to do. If he thinks I’m going to respond favorably to that, then he’s as stupid as he is wrong.”
“Hey,” Payne said. “I am not stupid or wrong. I did what needed to be done. I don’t care if you like it or not. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. And I don’t appreciate interference from Casper the budinsky ghost sticking their non-corporeal nose into our business.”
“I said hush,” I ordered. “Do you see what I have to put up with? Huh? He doesn’t get that he should have come to me first. I don’t like the idea of dying, but he can’t protect me all the time.”
Payne shook his head. “This is unreal.” He started to pace.
“No,” I countered, “this is my world. I have ghosts drop in on me all the time. I can’t control it. If you can’t handle that, then maybe you shouldn’t be spending so much time with me. You know, before I came here, I spent a lot of time alone just so I could avoid this kind of thing.”
“Well,” Payne said, “you’re not alone now and like it or not, I’m not going anywhere.”
We stared at each other for several seconds, neither of us backing off.
“Sweetheart,” ghost lady said. “He means well. You need to take it down a notch and talk to him. Make him understand how you feel. He’s just scared.”
I rolled my eyes and backed away from Payne. “Scared? He’s not acting scared. He’s acting like a horse’s ass!” I turned and leaned my own ass against the car. “What does he have to be scared about?”
Payne looked around for something to hit, but we were in an open field. His face was a mixture of frustration and despair, but I saw a shadow of panic on his eyes.
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